On September 16, 1966, the new Metropolitan Opera House opened in Lincoln Center with the world premiere of Barber’s Antony and Cleopatra, with Leontyne Price and Justino Díaz in the title roles. That first season in the Met’s new home not only ushered in a new age of theatrical possibility, it also featured an embarrassment of vocal riches, with such incomparable artists as Birgit Nilsson and Franco Corelli facing off in an unforgettable Turandot; Joan Sutherland delivering a Lucia di Lammermoor mad scene for the ages; and Jon Vickers making a historic role debut in Peter Grimes. Now, ten performances from that inaugural season—plus bonus highlights—have been collected and remastered in this essential milestone set, also featuring such legends as Grace Bumbry, Mirella Freni, Christa Ludwig, Anna Moffo, Roberta Peters, Leonie Rysanek, Renata Tebaldi, Carlo Bergonzi, Robert Merrill, and Richard Tucker, among others.

Antony and Cleopatra (Barber): radio broadcast recorded on 9/16/1966, conducted by Thomas Schippers and starring Leontyne Price, Jess Thomas, and Justino Díaz.

Madama Butterfly (Puccini): radio broadcast recorded on 3/18/1967, conducted by Francesco Molinari-Pradelli and starring Renata Scotto, Nedda Casei, George Shirley, and Ron Bottcher.

Highlights of the 1966–67 Season: bonus features include interviews from the live radio broadcast of Opening Night of the new house on September 16, 1966, and excerpts from other operas broadcast during the inaugural season.

Sign up for a free 7-day trial of Met Opera on Demand now, and enjoy unlimited access to this extraordinary anniversary collection and everything else available in the Met Opera on Demand catalog. Watch and listen anytime on your computer, phone, tablet or TV, and download the free apps for iPad, Android, Roku, and Samsung Smart TV.